Sunday, October 6 CITY ON THE LAKE Daily The morning begins with a private guided tour of Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s prettiest towns. Its lively streets, hidden alleys and beautiful façades of medieval buildings in the Altstadt make it perfect to explore Itinerary on foot. We’ll stroll across 14th century Chapel Bridge, one of the city’s two iconic picture-perfect wooden bridges, and admire its medieval gable paintings, and rest and reflect in the contemplative 13th century Franciscan Church, an unspoiled example of medieval Gothic mendicant architecture. The sculpted Lion Monument commemorates the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution in 1792. Lunch is on your own. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free with dinner on your own. Optional performance at Lucerne’s ultramodern Culture and Convention Centre (KKL), designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, with state-of-the-art acoustics.

Monday, October 7 SPORT, ARCHITECTURE AND PANORAMAS Our alpine adventure continues this morning as we head eastward towards , stopping first in the Upper Rhine Valley to visit the tiny principality of Lichtenstein, one of the smallest countries in the world. Continuing our Salzburg border-hopping, lunch is in Feldkirch in Austria before our late afternoon arrival and check-in at the Hotel Schwarzer Adler, a refined mountain Thursday, October 3 hotel set in an elegant building dating from the 16th century, on the edge Flights from the US, with arrival the following day. of Innsbruck’s old town. After settling in, our city tour begins with a visit to the dynamic and elegant Bergisel Ski Jump, redesigned in 2001 by the Friday, October 4 renowned late architect Zaha Hadid. Two-hundred years ago, the historic WILLKOMMEN! [WELCOME!] Battle of Bergisel took place on these slopes, when Tyrolean insurgents, From your arrival at Zurich Airport (ZRH) our private motorcoach awaits led by Andreas Hofer, were outnumbered by Napoleon’s army and Bavarian to take us to our first home, the boutique 4-star Hotel des Balances, in forces. There we enjoy coffee and cake surrounded by a 360 degree view, Lucerne’s car-free Altstadt (Old Town) where historic houses decorated with and visit the amazing Tirol Panorama, a 360 degree painting from the late frescoes line picturesque town squares. Tonight we celebrate our arrival 19th century of the same view! with a welcome reception at the hotel and dinner at the historic Restaurant Sauvage in the Hotel Wilden Mann.

Saturday, October 5 QUEEN OF MOUNTAINS Breakfast daily at all three hotels. Lucerne is the ideal starting point for our day-long excursion to Mount Rigi, Switzerland’s “Queen of Mountains.” Our private boat on Lake Lucerne takes us to the town of Vitznau at the foot of the mountain, where it’s a dramatic half-hour’s journey aboard the cog rail- way up and right into the magnificent Alpine world. A breathtaking panoram- left: Seekirchl Church, Seefeld ic view across the Alps can be enjoyed from the summit. A short nature walk right: Rigi Cogwheel Railway with private guide acquaints us with some of the rich Alpine flora comprising nearly 1000 species. Keep your cameras ready! We travel next via train and Tuesday, October 8 aerial cable car to the charming, tranquil town of Weggis, for lunch at the CAPITAL OF THE ALPS Seehotel Gotthard, set on the shores of Lake Lucerne with its panoramic In Innsbruck the Alps appear close enough to touch. Located in a broad mountain backdrop. Evening is free with dinner on your own. valley between high mountains, the city offers a unique mosaic of cultural history, shaped by its past but continuing to evolve with the times. Innsbruck became the capital of all in 1429 and remained a center of European politics and culture well into the 16th century. Our morning tour of the city gives us a more complete view of this complex and diverse city, including the Hofkirche, with the unique large black statues commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I of his real and purported ancestors; St. James Cathedral, tow- ering majestically over the roofs of the city, recognizable by the unmistakable sound of its bells; and after lunch on your own, a visit to Schloss Ambras, a Renaissance castle and palace located in the hills above Innsbruck. Your af- ternoon is free for more exploring until we gather as a group in the evening for a wine tasting and dinner within view of the Innsbruck Imperial Palace. Wednesday, October 9 THE MOUNTAINOUS TYROL Our full-day excursion today takes us to the alpine town of Seefeld in the Tyrol, situated on a sunny plateau high above Innsbruck, and a prime cross- county skiing center. The Seekirchl church, with its eight-sided Baroque style architecture, welcomes us to the entrance of Seefeld village where Herrenchiemsee Castle you will soon board your own horse and carriage for a fun trip through the neighboring fields and woods and around the lake. Lunch is at an idyllic near near the village of Buchen amidst blue skies and snow-capped mountain peaks. Our late afternoon return to Innsbruck leaves your evening free for dinner on your own.

King Ludwig II

Thursday, October 10 MUSICAL MECCA Our travels continue eastward this morning to Salzburg, stopping first for a boat trip to visit Herrenchiemsee Palace on Chiemsee, a lake in , Germany. The unfinished palace, built by King Ludwig II, sits on the lake’s largest island, Herreninsel, or Men’s Island, and is crossed with nature trails, After lunch at the Palace, we arrive at our home for the next three nights, the 4-star Hotel Altstadt, well-situated in Salzburg’s Old Town. After settling in and an orientation walk, your evening is free for dinner on your own in this fascinating town, renowned for its particular Austrian hybrid of Gothic and Baroque. Eagle’s Nest

up to the interior of the Eagle’s Nest, with its spectacular panoramic view. After lunch at Café Windbeutelbaron, overlooking the emerald-green lake, Königssee, we head back to Salzburg for free time before our evening gala farewell dinner at Hotel Sacher, one of the most historic in the city, famed for its Torte.

Sunday, October 13 Tour ends after breakfast. Early morning coach transfer to Munich Airport for flights to North America.

Itinerary is subject to change. Meals in bold are included in the cost of the tour.

Mirabell Castle and Gardens Tour Registration Friday, October 11 CITY OF MOZART Salzburg sits against a backdrop of graceful domes and spires, with cliff top Tour Cost: $4,985 per person, ground only, double occupancy. fortresses and the mountains beyond. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Single supplement: $875. Group limited to 25 participants or as hotel Site in 1997, its Altstadt (Old Town) looks much as it did when Mozart lived space allows. here 250 years ago, one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. With our private guide, we’ll explore the many treasures this city has to offer, Deposit: $1000 per person, first come, first served, due upon including Mirabell Castle and Gardens, the 7th century church and abbey of registration. Tax-deductible contribution to Mountain Lake PBS: $500. St. Peter’s Monastery, the spiritual heart of the city, and the Residenz Palace, Registration Deadline and Balance Due: August 2, 2019. home of the ruling archbishops of Salzburg in the Baroque era. Lunch is at After that date, call for availability. Stiftskeller St. Peter’s, close to the church. Your evening is free with dinner on your own. To reserve your place, send registration form with check or credit card information for the deposit amount to: Alps Tour, Mountain Lake Saturday, October 12 PBS, 1 Sesame Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 HITLER’S “EAGLE’S NEST” The road rises 2600 feet in altitude as we make our way to Kehlsteinhaus, Questions? known as Eagle’s Nest, on Obersalzberg Mountain, an architecturally unique Contact Janine Scherline building perched atop an alpine peak and built in 1939 as a gift to Adolf Hitler at [email protected] or for his 50th birthday. A tunnel through solid mountain rock takes us via a lift 518-324-0157 / 800-836-5700, ext. 157

Sachertorte